Dean’s Dialogues: Get to Know Poole Alumnae Madison Bell
Bell, who has both a bachelor's and master's degree from Poole, talks with Dean Frank Buckless about her favorite classes and gives advice for students.
This is one installment in a series of interviews Poole College Dean Frank Buckless conducted with students and recent grads to learn about their college experiences.
Madison Bell received a bachelor’s in accounting in 2018 and a master’s in accounting in 2019. She is currently an assurance manager at Forvis Mazars. Read on to learn more. (Please note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity)
Tell us about yourself.
I’m an audit manager with Forvis Mazars. I’ve been with the firm for five years, though it was known as Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG) when I started. I received my undergrad degree in accounting from Poole College in 2018, then enrolled in the Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) Program and graduated in 2019. I enjoy my job and enjoy that we’re able to come back to NC State through recruiting and other events.
Tell me about your journey within Poole College and what shaped it.
I came to NC State in 2014 in what was then the First Year College. I generally knew I wanted to do something in business, but I wasn’t sure about a major. After completing some of the First Year College’s assessments, one suggested career was accounting. I was interested — I’m generally good with numbers and enjoy those types of classes. I came into Poole College after my freshman year to pursue an accounting major. When I took those first classes, I realized I was on the right path. After my sophomore year, I went to Charleston, SC with DHG for their summer leadership conference. From there, I got an internship offer for the next summer, and interned again for DHG after that. That internship was part of Poole’s internship for credit program, which I cannot recommend enough. You receive credits and you’re out there working for a firm at the same time.
My junior and senior year at Poole, I was a teaching assistant for business law. In my senior year, as I was thinking about getting a master’s in preparation for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam, I realized I loved the professors within Poole and I loved Raleigh. I didn’t apply anywhere else. I was accepted and was fortunate to receive an academic fellowship.
What were highlights for you while at Poole?
I can’t speak highly enough about the career opportunities that Poole and the accounting department provide. They give you ample opportunity to walk away with a job when you graduate. That’s invaluable. It’s possible to have multiple internships and, more than likely, a full time offer by the time you leave NC State. The resources and the connections that Poole and the accounting program have really set you up for success.
What courses have been most helpful so far in your career?
The intermediate and intermediate II accounting classes. I had Robin Thomas (senior lecturer in accounting) for both. Those are some of the harder classes I had, but she prepares you very well for what you need to know. What we learned in those classes helped once I got to grad school and then when I sat for the CPA exam. She laid things out well and made difficult topics easier to understand. In the MAC program, I did an ERM specialty and worked closely with Mark Beasley (Alan T. Dickson Distinguished Professor of Accounting) and Bonnie Hancock (professor of practice). The second semester, we did a practicum working with a company in our market which provided some great experience.
What advice would you give prospective students?
If you’re not sure what you want to do, I don’t think you can go wrong with Poole. One of the things that was very attractive to me with Poole and with accounting is the versatility. What you’re learning within these classes, and outside the classroom with the connections that you make, will be useful for years. Even if one day I decided I wanted to do something different, I know I could come back to anyone within Poole and have a conversation with them and they would help me.
What advice would you give current Poole students?
Take advantage of every club, every event that’s happening. Don’t take these opportunities for granted. You never know who you’re going to meet and what that could turn into – a connection or a career. Especially when you’re starting out new, and you don’t know what’s going on, it’s just beneficial to meet as many people as you can.
What advice do you have for graduates?
It’s easy to lose touch with your peers or professors from Poole, but I’ve been fortunate to be able to come back. I catch up with peers and with professors often. I’ll see people at recruiting events or football games. Stay connected to those resources. There will come a time in your professional life where you may benefit each other or serve as a resource.
